Identity

Matthew 3:13-17

Intro

Illustration

Conflict: When your what you do does not line up with who you are…you have brokenness.

Me playing music and singing on a worship team.

We want peace and we want harmony

Ephesians 5:7–12 NIV

Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

We experience harmony when we live who we are.

Matthew 7:15–18 CSB

“Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit.

Also need to check ourselves.

Matthew 3:13 CSB

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.

Jesus is acting out the great drama of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, Israel’s journey through the wilderness into the promised land.

N. T. Wright

Jesus is living out his identity

Jesus is not earning

Be > Do.

Matthew 3:14 CSB

But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

As you begin to do… you will have obstacles.

a. Your own beliefs about yourself

b. What people say about you

c. People that do not understand.

Why is John saying this?

Matthew 3:11 CSB

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew 3:15 CSB

Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.

Jesus is staying on identity.

But Why?

Matthew 3:16 CSB

When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.

Genesis

New

Matthew 3:17 CSB

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

World Narrative

Gospel

What do I do?